Map of Colorado

The state of Colorado is located in the the Mountain West region of the Western United States. It belongs to the group of Mountain states and is considered a part of the Southwestern United States, where it meets Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah at the famous Four Corners junction. The state is also surrounded by Wyoming on its northern side, Nebraska on its northeastern side, Kansas on its eastern side, and Oklahoma on its southeastern side.

About the map:

This map of Colorado State shows the state borders, states, state capital, county borders, counties, county seats and important cities.

County seats are indicated by a red circle, white circles indicate cities, and the capital of Colorado is indicated by a star in the red circle. The larger the city in terms of population, the larger the circle on the map and the larger the font of the city name.

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Key Facts:

The Great Seal of the State of Colorado	Flag of Colorado
Capital:	Denver
Largest city:	Denver
Largest metropolitan area:	Denver
Largest county by population:	El Paso
Largest county by area:	Las Animas County
Area:	104,185 sq mi (269,837 km2)
Population (2025):	6,012,561[1]
Density:	56.3/sq mi (21.72/km2)
Dimensions:	Length 280 mi (451 km) Width 380 mi (612 km)
Latitude:	37°N to 41°N
Longitude:	102.0467°W to 109.0467°W
Elevation:	Highest elevation (Mount Elbert) - 14,440 ft (4,401.2 m) Lowest elevation (Arikaree River) - 3,317 ft (1,011 m)
Official language:	English
Religion (2022):[2]	39% - Protestantism 19% - Catholicism 2% - Mormonism 1% - Eastern Orthodoxy 1% - Unitarianism/Unitarian 1% - Judaism 2% - New Age 2% - East Asian Religions 1% - Hinduism 34% - other religions
Racial/ethnic groups (2024):[1]	65.2% White 23.2% Hispanic or Latino 5% Black or African American 3.6% Two or more races 4.1% Asian 1.7% Native American or Alaska Native 0.2% Pacific Islander
Median household income (2024):	$95,470[1]
USPS abbreviation:	CO
ISO 3166 code:	US-CO
Time zone:	UTC−07:00 (MST) Summer (DST) UTC−06:00 (MDT)
The Official Website of the State of Colorado:	www.colorado.gov

About the State of Colorado

Colorado is a state located in the Mountain West region of the United States. It became the 38th state to join the Union on August 1, 1876, earning the nickname "The Centennial State" due to its admission occurring the same year as the centennial of the United States Declaration of Independence. The state capital and most populous city is Denver, which serves as the economic and cultural center of the Front Range Urban Corridor.

Where is the state of Colorado in the United States of America?

Colorado is the eighth-largest state by area, covering approximately 104,185 square miles (269,837 square kilometers). It is bordered by Wyoming to the north, Nebraska to the northeast, Kansas to the east, Oklahoma to the southeast, New Mexico to the south, Utah to the west, and Arizona at the Four Corners region where it meets at a single point with New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona.

The Colorado Territory was organized on February 28, 1861, following the Pike's Peak Gold Rush of 1858-1859, which brought thousands of prospectors to the region with the slogan "Pike's Peak or Bust!" The discovery of gold and later silver deposits drove rapid population growth and economic development. Colorado achieved statehood on August 1, 1876, during the presidency of Ulysses S. Grant.

Geography of Colorado

The state's geography is notably diverse, encompassing the Southern Rocky Mountains, the Colorado Plateau, and the High Plains. Colorado contains 58 mountain peaks exceeding 14,000 feet in elevation, known colloquially as "fourteeners." Mount Elbert, standing at 14,440 feet (4,401 meters), is the highest summit of the Rocky Mountains and the highest point in Colorado.

Colorado has the highest mean elevation of any U.S. state at approximately 6,800 feet (2,070 meters) above sea level. The state's lowest point is 3,317 feet (1,011 meters) where the Arikaree River flows out of Kansas into Colorado.

The climate varies significantly depending on elevation and geographic location. The eastern plains experience a semi-arid to arid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Mountain regions have alpine climates with significant snowfall, while western valleys can be quite arid. Colorado receives abundant sunshine, averaging over 300 days of sunshine annually in many areas.

Below you will find a list of the largest lakes, the longest rivers, and the highest mountains in Colorado.

Major Rivers in Colorado

Major Lakes in Colorado

The Highest Mountains in Colorado

Economy

Colorado's economy is diverse and robust, with major sectors including:

• Aerospace and defense - Home to numerous military installations and private aerospace companies
• Technology and telecommunications - Growing tech hub, particularly in the Denver-Boulder corridor
• Tourism and outdoor recreation - Ski resorts, national parks, and outdoor activities generate billions annually
• Agriculture - Cattle ranching, wheat, corn, and hay production
• Energy - Oil, natural gas, and renewable energy production
• Brewing - One of the nation's leading craft beer producers

The state's gross domestic product exceeds $400 billion, making it one of the larger state economies in the United States. Colorado legalized recreational cannabis in 2012, becoming one of the first states to do so, which has created a significant new economic sector generating substantial tax revenue.

Demographics

As of recent estimates, Colorado's population exceeds 5.8 million residents. The state has experienced rapid population growth over recent decades, driven by economic opportunities, quality of life, and natural amenities. The population is concentrated along the Front Range Urban Corridor, which includes Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Boulder, containing approximately 80% of the state's residents.

The demographic composition is diverse. According to recent census data, the population is approximately 68% White (non-Hispanic), 22% Hispanic or Latino, 4% Black or African American, 3% Asian, and smaller percentages of other racial and ethnic groups. Colorado has a relatively young and educated population, with high rates of college degree attainment compared to national averages.

Natural Resources and Environment

Colorado is the headwaters state for several major river systems, including the Colorado River, Arkansas River, Rio Grande, and South Platte River. Water rights and management are critically important issues due to the state's semi-arid climate and competing demands from agriculture, urban areas, and environmental needs. The Colorado River Compact of 1922 governs water allocation among seven states and Mexico.

The state contains four national parks: Rocky Mountain National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. Additionally, Colorado has 42 state parks, 307 wildlife areas, and millions of acres of national forest land administered by the U.S. Forest Service.

Government and Politics

Colorado has a bicameral legislature consisting of a 35-member Senate and a 65-member House of Representatives. The state government follows the executive, legislative, and judicial branch structure typical of U.S. states. The governor serves four-year terms with a limit of two consecutive terms.

Politically, Colorado has transitioned from a reliably Republican state to a competitive swing state and more recently has leaned Democratic in statewide elections. This shift reflects changing demographics, urbanization, and the political preferences of newer residents. The state uses a mail-in ballot system for elections, which was expanded statewide in 2013.

Education and Research

The state's higher education system includes several notable institutions. The University of Colorado system has campuses in Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs, and Anschutz Medical Campus. Colorado State University in Fort Collins is the state's land-grant university. Other significant institutions include the Colorado School of Mines, United States Air Force Academy, and numerous private colleges and universities.

Colorado invests significantly in research and development, particularly in aerospace, renewable energy, biotechnology, and information technology. Federal research facilities include the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the National Center for Atmospheric Research, and NOAA facilities.

Transportation

Denver International Airport is the primary commercial airport serving the state and ranks among the busiest airports in the United States by passenger traffic and aircraft movements. The airport covers 53 square miles, making it one of the largest by land area in the world.

The state's transportation infrastructure includes Interstate 25 running north-south through the Front Range and Interstate 70 running east-west through the mountains, serving as a major transcontinental route. The Regional Transportation District (RTD) operates light rail and bus services in the Denver metropolitan area, including the A Line connecting downtown Denver to the airport.

Culture and Sports

Colorado's culture is heavily influenced by its natural environment, with outdoor recreation being central to the state's identity. Skiing, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and camping are deeply embedded in the lifestyle of many residents. The state hosted numerous ski resorts, including Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge, and Keystone, which attract millions of visitors annually.

Professional sports franchises include the NFL's Denver Broncos, NBA's Denver Nuggets, NHL's Colorado Avalanche, MLB's Colorado Rockies, and MLS's Colorado Rapids. The state has hosted various major sporting events and has strong collegiate athletic programs.

The cultural scene encompasses numerous museums, performing arts venues, and festivals. The Denver Art Museum, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and the Colorado Symphony are prominent cultural institutions. The Red Rocks Amphitheatre, a naturally occurring outdoor amphitheater, is renowned for its acoustics and hosts concerts and events year-round.

Brief History

Ancient Pueblo peoples inhabited Colorado's mesa lands as early as 1500 BCE, constructing elaborate cliff dwellings at sites such as Mesa Verde. They abandoned these settlements around 1300 CE, likely due to prolonged drought cycles.

Spanish explorers entered the region in the 1600s, claiming territory for the Crown. The United States acquired most of Colorado through the Louisiana Purchase of 1803 and the Mexican Cession of 1848.

The Pikes Peak Gold Rush of 1859 drew over 100,000 settlers into the territory within a single year, rapidly transforming scattered frontier outposts into permanent towns. Congress established the Colorado Territory in 1861. Violent conflict between U.S. forces and indigenous nations — most notably the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 — marked this period with considerable brutality. Colorado achieved statehood on August 1, 1876, earning the designation "Centennial State."

Silver mining dominated the economy through the 1880s, and the collapse of silver prices in 1893 triggered a severe regional depression.

Agriculture, cattle ranching, and later the energy and technology sectors diversified Colorado's economic base throughout the twentieth century. Today, Colorado ranks among the fastest-growing states in the nation, exceeding 5.8 million residents by the early 2020s.

Major cities in Colorado

• Denver
• Colorado Springs
• Aurora
• Fort Collins
• Lakewood

• Thornton
• Arvada
• Westminster
• Pueblo
• Greeley

• Centennial
• Boulder
• Longmont
• Loveland
• Broomfield

• Castle Rock
• Grand Junction
• Commerce City
• Parker
• Littleton

Counties in Colorado

There are 64 counties in the U.S. state of Colorado.

List of counties in Colorado

Colorado County Map

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References

1. ^ QuickFacts Colorado. U.S. Census Bureau.
2. ^ "American Values Atlas: Religious Tradition in Colorado". Public Religion Research Institute.